Chris Payne, a U.S. Navy veteran and Kennesaw State University alumnus, changed his career direction after enrolling at the university in 2018, according to a Mar. 25 announcement. Payne graduated in 2022 with a degree in mechanical engineering technology and now works as a senior mechanical engineer.
Payne’s journey highlights how nontraditional students can use education to pursue new opportunities. His experience shows the impact of returning to school later in life and the value of connecting practical skills with academic knowledge.
At age 38, Payne entered KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology after years working in technical roles for both the military and aerospace manufacturing. “I decided it was time to start using my brain more than my back,” Payne said. He added that years of physically demanding work led him to seek a future focused on engineering and design.
Payne grew up learning problem-solving skills from his father before joining the Navy as an avionics technician, where he maintained aircraft electronics for ten years. He then spent twelve years at Lockheed Martin installing wiring harnesses for military aircraft but decided to change paths after back surgery made physical labor difficult. Using military education benefits, he returned to school despite challenges such as relearning study habits alongside younger classmates.
During his studies at KSU, Payne often used Military and Veteran Services resources on campus. Dean Lawrence Whitman said, “Chris brought years of professional experience and a clear sense of purpose when he arrived at Kennesaw State.” Faculty members Richard Kennedy, Aaron Adams, and Santana Roberts supported him throughout his studies; Roberts even shaved his head during Payne’s wife’s cancer treatment as an act of solidarity.
Now employed by Freedom Electronics as its only mechanical engineer, Payne manages product development, manufacturing support, and oversees a 3D printing lab for prototyping designs. He has contributed to multiple innovations with two issued patents and two pending patents related to engineering solutions developed during his career.
Reflecting on his achievements since graduation, Payne said: “If I had to pick one thing it would be setting out to earn my degree and actually finishing it to better my life and the life of my family.”
